Rosario Central, led by Jorge Almirón, were winning 1-0 at home against Belgrano de Córdoba thanks to a scandalous penalty awarded to them, but ultimately the Córdoban 'Pirate' turned the tables late in the game with a lethal scoring burst. The Rosario team, which last year starred in one of the biggest scandals of recent decades after the Argentine Football Association overnight invented the League Champion title for them, has now accumulated three consecutive defeats, as they closed 2025 with losses to Independiente and Estudiantes de La Plata.
Racing will receive Rosario Central this Wednesday for the second date of the Apertura Tournament of the Professional Football League, with the aim of recovering after the defeat in their debut against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. The match, corresponding to Zone B, will take place from 19:00 at the Presidente Perón stadium, better known as the 'Cylinder of Avellaneda'. It will be covered live by the Argentine News Agency and can be seen on ESPN Premium.
The appointed referee was Fernando Echenique, while VAR will be handled by Lucas Novelli. Racing comes from a very poor debut in this Apertura Tournament, where they showed a very poor image and lost 2-1 to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, who dominated at all times.
Facing this match, coach Gustavo Costas would likely repeat most of the starting XI that took the field in the 'Forest', although only one change could be made. This is because it is not yet confirmed whether he will maintain Colombian winger Duván Vergara or if Tomás Conechny, author of the consolation goal against the 'Wolf', will come in.
Rosario Central, for its part, also debuted with their left foot in this 2026. The expected lineups are as follows: Racing: Facundo Cambeses; Gastón Martirena, Nazareno Colombo, Agustín García Basso, Gabriel Rojas; Juan Nardoni, Santiago Sosa, Matko Miljevic; Valentín Carboni, Adrián Martínez and Duván Vergara or Tomás Conechny. Coach: Gustavo Costas. Rosario Central: Jeremías Ledesma; Emanuel Coronel, Facundo Mallo, Gastón Ávila, Agustín Sández; Franco Ibarra, Vicente Pizarro, Enzo Giménez; Jaminton Campaz, Alejo Véliz and Ángel Di María. Coach: Jorge Almirón.
